Here’s a power outage management focused presentation from Milsoft's 2009 User Conference. It was originally presented by Greg Wolven. The Milsoft Electric Utility Solutions Users Conference is the premier event for both our users and vendors offering interoperable utility management services that enhance Milsoft Smart Grid Solutions. If you’d like to be on our mailing list, just email: missy.brooks@milsoft.com.

1. Case Study Utilizing AMR Functionality
and the OMS Detailed Circuit Model
Gregory A. Wolven, P.E.
Director of Engineering
WIN Energy REMC

2. In the past, all of us have lived with our software
processes because….
“We have always done it this way.”

3. Topics to Cover
• Who is WIN Energy REMC?
(put things in perspective)
• AMR and AMI
• Engineering and Operations Benefits
• AMI Tools (Grid Stream™ or Smart Grid)
– Outage Management
– Load Studies
– Power Quality

4. Who is
WIN Energy REMC?

5. •
•
•
•
Located in SW Indiana
Approx. 16,500 meters
135 MW NCP
40 Substations
– 17 Dedicated
– 23 Residential
• Approx. 1,500 sq. mile
Territory
• 46 total employees

6. Topics to Cover
• AMR and AMI
– AMR – Automated Meter Reading
• Typically just for meter reading, typically a one-way
information flow FROM the meter to the processing
software.
– AMI – Automated Meter Information
• Much more powerful system than AMR; takes the
information provided by AMR and adds additional
functionality such as request / response regarding outages.

7. Topics to Cover
Engineering and Operations Benefits
 Engineering and Operations benefits greatly
enhance the AMI business case.
– These benefits include, but are not limited to the
following:
• Blink Count
– Use this option, along with a good OMS system, to help track
down system disturbances and, therefore, enhance member
service satisfaction.

9. Topics to Cover
Engineering and Operations Benefits
 Engineering and Operations benefits greatly
enhance the AMI business case.
– These benefits include, but are not limited to:
• Signal strength from each meter (or endpoint)
– This can be used to enhance AMR performance.
– Continuously look into potential problems, proactively meter,
circuit and substation BEFORE outage events occur.
» Vines, tree contact, bad connections

11. Topics to Cover
Engineering and Operations Benefits, continued
• kW Demand
– Transformer sizing
– Load Flow
» Enhanced with a good EA system, system planning is
taken to a level few dreamed of even as recently as 5-10
years ago.

14. Topics to Cover
Engineering and Operations Benefits (cont.)
• System Line Losses
– Aggregate System losses mask issues (or opportunities).
– The ability to use daily energy readings allows both cycle billing
and the ability to read ALL meters at the time of supplier billing.
– The ability to review losses by delivery point allows focused
review of places opportunities for efficiency improvement exist.
» Example: 2008 “unaccounted for” kWh = 28,064,840,
which was a SYSTEM line loss of 4.62%. This
represented a direct increase in the purchased power of
$1,643,472. MOST of WIN Energy REMC’s substation line
losses were around 10%. Dedicated substations (zero line
loss) masked the real issue.

17. AMI and OMS Tools
• Outage Management
– Manage expectations.
• AMR outage DETECTION (NOT outage verification) is a tool,
not the “silver bullet.”
– Realize system potential.
– OMS integration and custom application
• By graphically DISPLAYING meters that are in the lost status
in OMS, outage detection and the extent of outages can be
determined before visually verified, allowing better utilization
of resources.

20. AMI and OMS
• Realizing system potential
– Looking for reoccurring problems

22. AMI and OMS
– OMS integration and custom application
• By graphically DISPLAYING meters that are in the lost status
in OMS, outage detection and the extent of outages can be
determined before visually verified, allowing better utilization
of resources.

24. Managing Load
• Managing Load
– Reporting coincident data values that take guesswork
out of load balancing and load flow
– Improving line loss, sizing equipment, and distribution
system design

25. Conclusion
• Data Mining (AMR or AMI)
– What has been discussed in this presentation is just
the start.
– Ask yourself “What is this data telling me?”
– Results of daily unsolicited data from every meter can
show trends and potential issues that users need to
interpret for their system.

26. Questions ?

27. Thank You !

28. Gregory A. Wolven, P.E.
Director of Engineering
WIN Energy REMC
gawpe@winenergyremc.com